Month #13 - done and done! #missionnotes

Way to Go Month #13 Done and Done! 

Kimber mail 9-05-2016: "Follow Those Promptings"

   Hello everyone! Hope you're all enjoying life and finding the good in every day! And most importantly following the promptings that you get.  That sure was the theme for my week! I've found that it's so easy just to push aside a prompting because we feel like it is inconvenient or silly or out of our comfort zone. But, just as President Monson has said "never postpone a prompting!" I really love sister Jacobson. She is a pro at following inspiration and has taught me so much, especially this last week about doing so! It's a good thing the Lord gave me a great companion!! Here's a sneak peek into our crazy week of following promptings:

   Tuesday: Last week during weekly planning I had the thought to ask the Relief Society President, Sister Stansell, if she needed any help with anything this week.  I kind of started to push the thought away because we had just asked her a couple days before and she was good. But I set a goal this week to "follow inspiration courageously". So we called her and she told us she actually did need help with her weeds! Holla!  So we went over and helped her out and it was really cool to talk to her and listen to her life stories.

   Wednesday: Every Wednesday we go paint nails at a rest home and this time we were talking to one of the receptionist there, Kerri, who is super nice to us!  Well I talked to her before and she mentioned how she “used to be a member but wasn't active.”  So anyways we are talking to her and she goes: "Girls you called me a few days ago and it made my day to be remembered and to know the sisters have the same number that they had 10 years ago. You're still saved in my phone!!" She showed us and told us about all these experiences she was having recently running into the church: the call from us, old memories of when she first joined, and she even found her Book of Mormon on top of her fridge! She told us she wants to have us over for dinner sometime soon. J   We also were able to invite our investigator Emma in our lesson last week to come to Book of Mormon Class. Well we got the prompting to follow up once again with her this morning to see if she would come to class tonight and she said she had an awful day and had some good excuses for not coming but said she knew she needed to come and be uplifted.  So she came! It was awesome and she loved it!

   Thursday: Okay so remember the story about how we were out tracting a couple weeks ago and this man came out and talked to us and gave us Gatorade and paper towels ‘cuz we were sweating so bad! Well his name is Jerry and he's awesome.  We felt like we should call and follow up with him and ask if he needed help with anything.  He said he needed help playing with and weighing his puppies (he's a breeder.)  So, we went and helped him and it was  not only the best service ever but it also helped us build trust with him and see that we are normal people serving the Lord and helped to soften his heart.

   Friday: Weekly planning days are always so longgggg. Ugh! Ha, ha, but Sister Jacobson and I have worked on making them more inspired.  Just like Elder Perkins told us to make meetings (and I added planning to that) a "revelatory experience" we have tried to follow inspiration better. It's been amazing! After we say our long opening prayer we take a few minutes to write down any names of people that come to mind that we could reach out to specifically in the upcoming week. Sister Jacobson is super great at this! Last week she had thought of Kerri (see Wednesday highlight) and this week she had 3 less actives come to mind. So we called them up during planning and 2 of them answered and we set appointments with them!  See- isn't she just the best?! She definitely inspires me to be better!!

   Saturday: Okay let me just tell you more of Sister Jacobson's awesome example. So our plans fell through:/ joyssss.  But we decided to follow up with some people. Surprise they weren't home.  So we pray to know what to do.  I feel like we should try a referral we got a couple weeks ago that we hadn't been able to contact. So we do and turns out he just recently died from cancer. But we left a little note on the door reminding the wife that she's loved. Walking back to our car, Sister Jacobson goes "hey do you see that guy up there?" *points to guy washing car up this giant hill...* I respond that I saw him. She energetically says "Sweet! Let's go ask if we can help!" Panting as we got to the top of the hill she asks this man if we can help wash his truck. He laughs, kind of confused - probably because we just came out of nowhere and were in dresses- but tells us to knock ourselves out.  We drop our bags, grab sponges and get to work! His mouth drops open and he runs over grabbing the sponges from us exclaiming how he didn't think we'd actually do it. We told him what we do and had a great conversation about why we love to serve and about the savior. He invited us to come back again and even gave us a referral for the widow lady next door. We go knock her door and she lets us right in.  She tells us she's one of our members that’s in the long-term care at the hospital's sisters. She gave us a huge snack bag because she couldn't believe we were so far from our mothers and families! We had a great conversation with her too and the spirit was strong. She told us that her daughter is also a member of the church and is so impressed at how kind the members are. She agreed to let us come back next week and help her clean her carpets! 2 miracles right there under an hour just because Sister Jacobson followed a prompting!!

   Sunday: my last prompting for the week happened all through church. It was simple but powerful- just listen! As I listened, I realized the simple truth of "trust God and everything will work out in his time" repeated over and over again. It was just what I needed to hear!

   I am so grateful to have the gift of the Holy Ghost to constantly be with me to prompt me and guide me if I keep myself worthy.  I know that following promptings is not always the easiest thing or most comfortable. But like they told us way back when I was in the MTC (that sis Jacobson reminded me) "there's no growth in comfort zones and no comfort in growth zones". This week I want to invite you all to really follow those promptings and let the Lord help you stretch and grow!!

~ Sister McDonald

Ponderize: Acts 17:27 "that they should seek the Lord... he be not far from every one of us"

Committment: Stand Strong! ~ Sister Oscarson

Kimber Mail 8/29/2016: "It's the Life!"

   Hey, hey everyone! Happy Monday :)   This last week was crazy busy and I am so tired! As I was talking to my District Leader last night for call-ins to report our week, I told him how tired we were and he said "Well hey! That means that you're doing it right, right?!" Ha, ha, so true. Missionary work is the life! This last week was filled with so many gems, I honestly couldn't narrow it down to just a few so I'll share highlights from each day with yinz:

   Monday: The other elders in our district (the Wintersville Elders: Elders Mills & Rawle) came out to have a mega P-day with us at Lawsons (family in our ward.)  It was super fun! They have a TON of land and it is beautiful!!  Brother Lawson made fried PB&J's and man they were delish! At first I was a little skeptical but they were pure heaven I tell you what!!  Then we made s'mores and went fishing and guess what?!  I CAUGHT MY FIRST FISH!  I was legit screaming and all the Elders come running from the opposite end of the lake ha, ha it was pretty exciting!  Plus Elder Mills and Noyes showed us how to be 'professional rock skippers' and their tricks actually worked! It was so fun.

   Tues: We had an awesome day finding a few less-active members who had never been contacted or had only been contacted once.  One sister in particular let us right in and told us that she had been struggling and needed some help and someone to listen to her and then we show up!  It always makes me smile to hear things like this and know that the Lord is SO aware of all of his children.  Well after we visited with that sister we got a call from the move Elders and they told us that they were bringing us a.... NEW CAR! What-What!!  Surprise of all surprises.  Ha, ha, ha but it's super nice and a little tender mercy!

   Wed: Who loves service - yes we doooo! Today was legit a day of service.  The Elders had contacted a less-active lady that no one new about and turns out she was in the middle of this huge backyard project laying pavers and digging up clay.  So we went and helped in the morning and got super dirty but it was fun! Afterward we got to go to this nursing home and do people's nails. Oh man guys, old people crack me up! It was so fun to hear their life stories and see the joy that something so little as painting nails, listening and laughing brought to them.  I love service!!

   Thurs: This was probably my favorite day of the week.  We had a huge conference with the whole west side of the mission in Cranberry, PA. (WOO BACK TO PA!) It was a super special conference because both Elder Perkins and Meurs from the 70 came and taught us.  I learned so much! I really felt like I was learning from like Alma and Amulek!!  HA, HA! But here's some things that I learned from them:

🔹Elder Perkins:  ~ Taught us to making meetings a "revelatory experience" ~ Ask Questions and do all you can to find your answers! ~ We need to submit to the will of God in all things ~ He also shared his experience in sitting in with one of the 12 as they assigned mission calls.  They take 20 seconds per call and it is all pure revelation.  He said "We are not calling them to a mission, We are calling them to a Mission President and his wife who will change their lives."  I am so grateful I get to serve with President and Sister Johnson they have truly changed my life and had a bigger impact than I think they will ever know.

🔹Elder Meurs:  ~ Every day we get to choose if we will be a full time or part time servant of the Lord  ~ The lord will trust us as we give our all  ~ Continue even through rejection! The most sacred/beautiful things happen at the end of the road.  ~ There are people right now that are waiting for you to OYM (Open Your Mouth)

🔹 As always it was so fun to see old friends. That reunion is always the greatest! It was awesome to learn from the missionaries I serve around too. I LOVE THE PPM!!!

🔹Okay now for the epic awkward moment of the day - because you all know I'm full of those! HA! Okay so every conference we have we are all told to prepare a 3-4 minute talk and then like 4 random missionaries are chosen to get up and share those.  So Elder Perkins chooses the missionaries and they read off "Sister McDonald" and I remembered 'Oh cool! There's another Sister McDonald now. It's going to be her turn because I just spoke at the last one.'  Well Elder Perkins didn't realize there were 2 of us I guess so he tells the Elder conducting to start the talks and we will figure it out. Well after the first speaker Elder Perkins calls out that "the one speaking will be the one in Wheeling, West Virginia." Guys I forgot I was in Wheeling. So I'm just sitting there. Then everyone starts looking at me. Then I realize 'oh! That's Me! They want me up on the stand.' So in an effort to make it less awkward (because I figured I'd be the last to speak...) I walk up, almost biffed it and make it up to the stand. I almost sit on the bench behind the Perkins but then realize they want me to speak right then. Getting up to the podium I'm like 'well on that awkward note...' HA! But it was awesome because it was all on the faith to find.  I've really gained a testimony of these last few weeks being brand new in this area.  I guess I didn't do too bad because Elder and Sister Perkins came and sat at our table at lunch and told me good job! It was so cool to sit and talk with them over lunch. They are amazing!

🔹Also the music was just SO powerful. Elder Meurs taught us to sing Hope of Israel a certain way emphasizing certain words and it was so powerful!  As we sang the ‘As Sisters In Zion/Army Of Helaman’ medley the spirit was so strong!  I love singing with all the missionaries.

IT WAS THE GREATEST DAY.

   Friday: We went in the morning and pulled this couple the Sikole's weeds in their huge garden. It reminded me of all the corn in Second Hand Lions! So it was awesome :)  plus they are the sweetest they always feed us lunch every Friday/Saturday and it's all homemade: YUM! We also had a great lesson with Gay. Once again member fellowshipping works miracles!  She really wants to be baptized and is one step closer to a baptismal date. J

   Sat: We got up early and went and helped Sister Wylie in the ward with a 5K.  Thankfully we didn't have to run!😂👌  But it was awesome to get to talk to so many people.  We went back and visited this guy, Frank, we met last week in the rain, to see if he was wanting to learn more.  So we sat and taught him and it was a powerhouse lesson. The spirit was so strong and when we shared Moroni's promise with him he said "that just makes sense! We have to put in our effort to get Gods will". Music to my ears.

   Sun: Well it was a crazy but awesome spiritual day.  Sister Jacobson and I gave the talks in sacrament.  I talked about the Book of Mormon and tried not to ramble but it was great! Then we had FHE (Family Home Evening) at Sister Folmers- this cute older lady and had lunch too.

Then the Bishops son- Isaac- had his baptism after dinner. Okay the members out in the East are amazing. It really does feel like a huge family.  We all support one another like a huge family, just like it should be! Practically the whole stinking ward came to his baptism!! There were investigators, less active members, active members and the whole chapel was filled to the brim! It was awesome to feel the support and love. Also Isaac is my little buddy and asked me to play the piano. Couldn't turn him down! It turned out to be really good!

Well that's all for now folks! Have a great week J

💕Sister McDonald

Ponderize: 2 ne 16:10 "...and understand with their heart and be converted and be healed"

Committment: "Choose the harder right rather than the easier wrong" ~ Pres. Monson

Kimber mail 8-22-2016: "Disney Pt. 2😆🎉"

   Hey everyone long time no talk!  ;) ha, ha, ha! Sorry if you are sick of hearing from me... but here's some more updates in the life of: me!

   Okay so first off- the scripture I chose for my last "ponderize" was perfect for this week! Just a refresher it was Mosiah 27:14 "that the prayers of His servants might be answered according to their faith".  I know that Heavenly Father always answers our prayers it's just in his timing.  But faith with those prayers work some amazing miracles!

Here's some examples of answered prayers this week:

We did LOTS of finding this week.

   1. So basically just trying to track down members who aren't active or trying to find those elect people who want to learn more about the gospel.  😆🎉  The cool thing was there were a few less active members who have no record of being contacted just that they had moved. Sister Jacobson and I felt prompted to call these people and see if we could figure out where they are at now and if we could possibly go visit them. So we do and a couple of them actually answered and gave us their right address and we went and visited them.  I love that no matter where we may be on the path of life if we are ready or not for the gospel the Lord is constantly planting those seeds of truth!

   2. Funny tracting stories from last week and this week: so the Lord truly has a sense of humor I am convinced.  The last couple of weeks he's used the weather to our advantage... more or less.  So last week we were tracting in the humid heat #LegitDying  but we are doing it ‘cuz we need to. So I had Sister Jacobson pray and see where we should tract. She does and we go knock on some doors. Well we knock this door and this guy comes out and is talking to us. Meanwhile it looks like we just took a shower from the amount of sweat pouring down our faces.  In the middle of his sentence he goes "AHH HOLD ON!" Runs inside.  Me and Sister Jacobson look at each other like, what?!  Now this guy was a bigger dude and he almost biffed it on the way back out the door (cue me trying not to laugh) and throws some Gatorade and paper towels at us and said "we are all sweatin like pigs! This should help" Ha, ha. Okay next one, we were tracting and it started lightly raining well the rain our here is crazy as soon as it starts raining you better move or you are going to get drenched. So we walk up to this porch and there's this nice old man sitting there. As soon as we step under the covering it starts pouring. We smiled at the guy as he's sitting there in amazement and I'm like "well while we are stuck here for a bit- do you like Jesus?!" Ha, ha! 15 minutes later after an awesome talk and teaching him some of the plan of salvation the rain let up.  Miracles upon miracles

   Other huge answered prayer was THE TEMPLE. Okay I know you are all probably like Sister McDonald you already rambled about it in your last letter.  Well sorry folks - here's Disney part 2! The temple trip was AMAZING. This sweet couple the VanStones (who are converts) took us to the Columbus temple and we were able to meet up with Brother Orum and the Elders. Okay this temple is TINY!  But it was such a powerful experience.  I've prayed for a year to get somewhere where I could go to the temple and Saturday was the day.  I think it just made the whole experience that much sweeter having to wait for so long. As soon as we set foot on the temple grounds I couldn't stop smiling and WOOSH the Spirit was so strong!!!  I learned so much and felt so much peace.  Especially near the end.  I just want to share a snippet of the most amazing experience I had.  As I was sitting in the Celestial Room praying I was reminded that I'm not alone in this great work.  I felt the overwhelming power of the love and help of all of my family and loved ones not only the ones living but the ones passed on.  It brought tears to my eyes to know and be reminded of the beautiful truth that families are indeed forever.  All for one and one for all!  I am so grateful for my family and that I was blessed to be raised in this wonderful gospel and come to know for myself that it is the truest thing on this earth and in eternity!  I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father for their patience and help every single day. Without it, I couldn't be doing this great work. It truly is their work and I am proud to wake up every morning and give it my all.  I hope we all are able to see the good in every day and rely on Heavenly Father to help us accomplish what he needs us to do each day.  I love you all and hope yinz have a fabulous week!

💗Sister McD

Ponderize: John 15:16 "ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit!"

Commitment: "Listen!" ~ Elder Ballard

Kimber Mail 8-20-2016 : "A missionaries' Disney Land"

The Last 12 Months...

 Looking back over the year,

Months and weeks and days

Went so fast. Went so slow.

But with me, the mem'ries stay.

 

Entering the MTC-

Scared as scared can be.

Then to the perfect trainer

The Lord hand-picked for me.

Spreading wings and wingin' it

Sister Thorson brought the flame.

Lighting that "greenie fire"

His truth we did proclaim!

Then off to love and guide

With T-swizzle by my side.

I learned to love each moment

And that I can't deny!

McDon & Taun served 'em all

Through rise and fall, it was a ball!

It's time to grow, my time to go

Off to Ohio with Jacobson.

Working hard and havin' fun

To all, we'll share His light

After all, what good's a testimony,

If it's not a-shining bright?!

 

Through tears and laughs

The ups and downs

The sweat and tired eyes

I've pushed past my limits

I've laughed until I've cried.

This last year's not been easy.

In fact, it's the toughest thing I've done!

But I've learned that when we're on the Lord's side-

 The victory we've won!

So declare His love, with all my might,

Yes, that is what I'll do!

I'll finish strong,

I'll carry on,

I'll smile through and through.

This gospel's brings such happiness

And of this, I know: it's true!

   Well everyone, as you can see from the cheesy poem (#YousWelcome💁🏼)  - I made it a whole year and it's been the toughest but greatest experience and I am sad that it's starting to wind down. I don't want to leave!!

   Sorry for the lack of emails Monday. And if you're wondering, yes it's totally kosher that I'm sending this today😜  We switched our “P”Day to today so that we can... wait for it......... Go to Disney Land! Jokes - even better: GO TO THE TEMPLE!!! Guys, I am legit SOOOOOOO pumped. AHHHHH! I HAVE WAITED FOR THIS FOR SO LONGGGGGGGGGG.  Let me tell you not being able to go to a temple for a whole year has been tough but it's made me really appreciate the opportunities that we do have to go.  I realize there are those that have to wait longer than a year for the chance to make it to a temple and I feel that struggle.  How grateful I am for temples!!  Our goal as missionaries is to see everyone in the temple.  Just picture it! Isn’t that awesome?!  I love the peace, unity and pure joy that can be found at any temple.  God wants us to be as close to him as we possibly can.  The temple is a perfect way to help us achieve that goal.  

   I know that as we live our lives to constantly be worthy to go to the temple, regardless of how close we actually are to the temple, we will be blessed more than we can imagine!  So my simple message to you all today is: stay strong!  Keep smiling and doing what you need to do to be where you need to be at this very moment.  

   This week Sister Jacobson and I found this awesome quote from President Hinckley that I want to share with yinz- "If you do your best, it'll all work out....put your trust in God!  The Lord will not forsake us." (Oct 2015 general conference).  It's as simple as trust and do our best. The Lord is right there with us every step of the way carrying all we go through with us so we never EVER fall short with Christ.  I know that no matter where you think you are at in your relationship with Christ, His love for you is constantly there. It never changes.  Make the decision to turn more fully to him and let him help.  Change now.  Not tomorrow, or next week. Now.  Let's rise above the struggles and challenges of today with Christ by our side and hold our heads high looking to the house of the Lord!

   I love you all and am so grateful for the love and support I feel each day from all of you- know I'm praying for you too!!  Before I go - just wanted to share 2 quick awesome highlights from this past week: 

   - We were able to teach our investigator Gay, at a member's home last Friday.   She told us, as we were talking about her experiences at church, that every time she has come with a question and every time she has been able to receive answers to questions. She said she has never felt happier and feels pure love!  Even if no one were to talk to her, she would still come.  She said the 3 hours of church aren't even long, she loves every minute of it!  Like WHAT?!?!?  I wish we could all soak up church like that. Ha, ha, it was awesome J.

   - Alex! Okay, so this kid is such a tender mercy to me.  Many of you know that I have younger brother named Alex. Well we were visiting with this less active family and the mom was telling us about her sons. She said one (was in his room) has some mood swings and was in one of those moods today. She told us how they are struggling to help him out of it and aren't sure what to do.  Well as she kept describing him I'm thinking "wow he sounds like my brother! Same age, same hobbies, same name.." Ha, ha! And it was one of those moments when the spirit kinda hit me and said “You are here to help him.  You know how.”  Ummmm...hmm, okay Spirit, I guess we’ll just try our best and roll with this? Ha, ha,  …So she gets him to come out and I was able to talk to him and he reminded me so much of my brother Alex - it wasn't even funny.  Well it was awesome because at the end he was smiling and laughing and we made up a handshake.   Honestly I know it sounds like such a little thing but 1) it reminded me of my favorite little pal back home and 2) I really learned sometimes when we struggle with people all they need is a little love and to be reminded that they are awesome!

   So anywho…, hope I haven't bored you by now, but too late I guess!  :P

   Stay tuned for updates from this week on monday! Love ya  :)

💕Sister McDonald

Ponderize: "The prayers of His servants might be answered according to their faith"~ mosiah 27:14

Committment: "Become increasingly worthy!" ~ Elder Bednar

**A Pause-in-the-Post**

Kimber's regular post this week will be paused as her preparation day will be moved to Saturday this week to give her an opportunity to attend the Columbus, OH Temple.  - So for now - enjoy our silly girl - as we catch up a few of her vids:

Month 12 Finished! #missionnotes

Congratulations!  One Year Completed!!  On to #13!

#Missionnotes.